CULTURE SHOCK SUCKS.
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| One day will look like this |
I was just working on some homework the other night, doing some reading, you know, the usual. My mind starts to wander a bit, and BAM! CULTURE SHOCK HITS LIKE A LIGHTNING BOLT. And then...the water works start. UGH.
Now, let me explain how this occurred. For the past 5 weeks, I have been living in Ifrane, Morocco in Northern Africa, where it just so happens to SNOW ALL THE TIME. That, in and of itself, has been annoying enough. We get three feet of snow, it melts, we have a beautiful couple of days, and then it returns. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. NOTHING IS CONSISTENT!
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| The next day like this :( |
I am also living in a very TYPE B world, whereas I, as many of you know, am VERY TYPE A. I like to know what's happening, when it's happening, blah, blah, blah. For the most part, I've been able to act like a Type B; just kinda going with the flow, doing whatever, traveling, the fun stuff. Where I'm having a difficult time is with school. NOTHING IS ORGANIZED. NOTHING. I'M GOING CRAZY!
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| Some days I really miss my family |
Most of my classes have syllabi. Do we follow said syllabi? NO. Are there due dates for anything? NO. (Well, only one). Are there exams dates for midterms? NO. (excluding again, the same professor). Does anybody know when finals are? NO. When I ask my professors questions regarding such topics, do I get clarified response? NO. I JUST WANNA KNOW WHEN THINGS ARE HAPPENING! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? Apparently.
You guys...I can't cook, clean, or do my own laundry! I know that most of you are probably like, AND...? That's awesome! WRONG! Those things destress me after long days and allow me to focus on something that's not work or other things that are troubling me. The other day, I was just frustrated after classes and was going to go back to my room and tidy things up...I got back...and EVERYTHING WAS CLEAN! People had come into my room and cleaned up for me. Needless to say, I was a tiny bit upset. I also just feel weird about people doing my laundry...I drop it off and then I go back and pick it up. I don't move it from machine to machine. I don't use the option for them to fold my clothes, so at least I have SOMETHING I can do once every couple of weeks.
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| Workout to keep me calm |
The harassment that I have experienced and that my friends have experienced is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of being a female in a male dominated society. I'm tired of being an American and sticking out like a sore thumb! I'M SO FRUSTRATED!
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| Working on that language barrier... |
We can't walk down the street without being followed, cat called, whistled at, called names, or being groped at. It's DISGUSTING. We're told not to engage with the men who do these things, but it's difficult not to! I'm constantly looking over my shoulder; my bag is always in front of me with a jacket draped over it; I'm watching out for my friends; and it's just exhausting. I expected this to happen. I KNEW it would happen, but OFF-CAMPUS. Turns out, campus isn't so great sometimes. We're always stared at; people make fun of us; they call us names and laugh; and guys are pushy (not all! but some).
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| Mom sends me pics when I have a bad day |
Can you tell I'm annoyed?
Despite the fact that I'm experiencing some rather annoying facets of culture shock, I'm having the time of my life! I'm getting to travel and see amazing sights with amazing people! I'm making so many memories, and these obstacles are not going to stand in my way of having the best time! I've been to Fez, Rabat, Meknes; this weekend, I'm going back to Fez, next weekend, we're going to Chefchaouen, and then I'm going to Europe with my mom and my aunt!
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| I wish I could see my puppy! |
CULTURE SHOCK SUCKS, BUT I'M MOVING PAST IT AND ENJOYING MYSELF!